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30/04/2016

The all new Robinson Crusoe film by Studiocanal is released on May 6th promising to transport families into a fun-filled adventure they won’t
forget! As you can see from the poster below, it’s going to be quite a
ride!

Fun and adventure awaits. The film depicts the story quite differently compared to the original book. You have to see just how for yourself! A completely new take on the beloved classic tale from Daniel Defoe. Why not take a sneak peek at the trailer here! We cannot wait to see it. Do you remember the original?

GIVEAWAY

Studiocanal have some great merchandise to celebrate the release of the film and we've got a bundle you can win!

Including masks, a poster, previous releases on DVD, stickers and more this bundle will make great entertainment for children during the up and coming half term holiday! Just complete the rafflecopter form below by Midnight May 8th 2016. T&C's apply. Open to UK residents only. Good luck and enjoy the film if you go to see it! a Rafflecopter giveawayWin prizes with theprizefinder.com

28/04/2016

I thought it made for interesting reading that although the trend is moving downwards in recent years, the home production economy in the UK is worth more than £1 trillion a year. This includes things like cleaning, gardening, DIY and home improvements, and it’s a staggeringly high number to wrap your head around.We’re undoubtedly a nation of home improvers, and although the housing crisis leaves many ordinary people unable to get onto the housing ladder, it makes sense for those of us who are fortunate enough to own to optimise our abodes as much as possible. Whether it’s significant renovations and remodelling, or small odd jobs, home improvements really can add significant value. The key, of course, is to do them right. So, if you’re considering doing something along these lines, here’s a little step-by-step process that should hopefully set you on your way…Plan, plan, plan!First things first, make sure that you have a clear idea about what you want to do. What needs to be done exactly? What materials do you need? How much will it cost you? Is it DIY, or will you need a contractor? Have you got planning permission for any extensions? These are all things you should be absolutely clear on before so much as picking up a screwdriver, because the last thing you want is to have to change course on a project midway through.Be conscious of adding valueNot all improvements have value adding as their main objective, and if you’re planning on staying where you are for a long time, it might matter more that the improvements are for your own benefit, or be aesthetically pleasing for you. But it makes sense to at least ensure that the whole exercise is worth your while financially. So whether it’s fitting double glazing, giving your garden a facelift, doing a loft conversion, adding a wood burner, redoing a bathroom or anything else, be sure to do a cost-benefit analysis so that the investment will, at the very least, wash its face.Prioritise!After surveying your home from top to bottom, you’ll probably have a wish list as long as your arm, and everything may suddenly seem of pressing importance. But keep your wits about you, and compile a list that prioritises things. What is most urgent, and needs fixing? Is there a long-term job that you want finished before next winter? Which jobs are going to add the most or least value? How much budget is currently available? And which improvements, when completed, will bring you and your family the most joy? Once you have this all figured out, the list should then write itself.Get hands onTime is always going to be the biggest hurdle, and often it may be tempting to just get someone in. However, even if your current DIY skillset is pretty limited, you’ll be amazed at what you can learn just from watching explainer videos on YouTube. Alternatively, there are plenty of blogs out there which can help you out if you’re a DIY newbie, or you could get in touch with a not-for-profit home improvement agency for advice. And you might just find that by mucking in yourself, you start to really enjoy it and find it to be a rewarding experience in the end.Be savvy with financeChances are that despite best efforts to cut costs, not everyone will be able to fund home improvements with money in the bank, particularly if it’s a big undertaking and/or if you’re a new homeowner who has just coughed up for the deposit, and all the fees that come with it. Many people instinctively assume that adding finance onto their mortgage is the best way to go. Yet the market for personal loans has become increasingly competitive, and, aside from being more convenient, chances are you might be able to get a better rate of interest elsewhere with an online lender. Don’t spend a penny more on debt than you need to!Collaborative post.

27/04/2016

We are delighted to offer you the chance to win a DVD collection and Board Book from the fab Peter Rabbit Collection.

There's a rabbit on the run! PETER RABBIT –THE TALE OF THE GREAT BREAKOUT – A NEW DVD COLLECTION on sale MONDAY 2ND MAY 2016.

More magical tales are set to enchant Beatrix Potter fans everywhere as Peter Rabbit and friends return in their fourth DVD collection, released by Abbey Home Media on Monday 2nd May.

When Mr McGregor captures the whole squirrel tribe in his garden, Peter must stage a mass break out to save his friends. Follow our hero Peter and his friends Benjamin Bunny and Lily Bobtail on their adventures and quest to save the day, overcoming obstacles and outsmarting predators, all the while finding fun and excitement in the most unexpected places.

With a taste for radishes and a thirst for adventure Peter Rabbit is the lovable and extraordinary friend you longed to hang out with when you were a kid. But when the chips are down and danger lurks, there’s no better friend to have around than Peter and his boundless courage will always see him through. Peter has an infectious enthusiasm for life and is also an irrepressible optimist. He is cool under pressure and his quick-witted mind is as nimble as his super-fast legs.

Peter Rabbit – The Tale of the Great Breakout includes 6 exciting episodes: The Tale of The Great Breakout, The Tale of the Mystery Plum Thief, The tale of Benjamin’s Strawberry Raid, The Tale of the Downhill Escape, The Tale of the Unguarded Garden, and The Tale of the Cat and the Rat. This lovely collection also comes with a free height chart.

PETER RABBIT - BEST DAD! BOARD BOOK.

Peter Rabbit – Best Dad! is based on the world-famous animal characters Peter, Lily and Benjamin in this charming board book tale released by Penguin Books.

Peter and co are very excited to hear about Mr Bouncer's most amazing invention ever – a flying machine that was crash-landed in Mr McGregor's garden by Peter's father. Peter is determined to find it! But the garden is a dangerous place. Can the friends find the machine and make their escape before Mr McGregor catches them?

Told with humour, pace and relevance to bring the wonderful world of Beatrix Potter to a whole new generation. RRP £4.99.

All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning is complete the rafflecopter form below! Just make sure you enter before Midnight Sun 8th May 2016 and are a resident of the UK. T&C's apply. Good Luck!

24/04/2016

23/04/2016

A gorgeous start to the week out and about with the family but little monkey said he felt unwell as Sunday progressed. He was asleep in bed before 6pm. I've ended up having lots of time off this week which means no earnings! Nothing to do with little monkey, he was fine to go to school each day! Lovely having the time off but the bills won't pay themselves. Here's our week 16 photo's.

Day 108. A gorgeous day. The afternoon was spent at our local RHS gardens.Day 109. We've been meaning to get little monkey a night light for a while and surprised him with this one!Day 110. Another lovely Spring day. There seems to be less blossom this year though.Day 111. Sorry, mirror selfie! All set for a training walk for the Moonwalk today. Day 112. This months Degustabox ready to tuck into.Day 113. Hubby is out and the monkeys are in bed, so it's time for wine and chocolate! Day 114. I practically put my head into the hutch to get a photo of the guinea pigs when feeding them this morning! Too cute not to grab a pic! We hope you've had a great week!

21/04/2016

Very soon I shall be travelling up to Manchester with the family (as it is also big monkeys Birthday weekend) and leaving them to explore for the day whilst I attend my second Blog on Conference at Manchester's Museum of Science and Industry. Then we'll be spending his Birthday in Liverpool so he can have a tour of Anfield Football Stadium on his actual Birthday! Shhhh....he doesn't know! First let me take part in the Blog On ice breaker, starting with a recent photo of myself......

Right, now for the questions!

If you had to describe yourself in three words…….Short, mad on shoes and getting old! How long have you been blogging and what made you start?I started blogging in March of 2013 as I needed a hobby to do of an evening whilst my husband was at work and the monkeys asleep. I was also struggling with my emotions and wanted somewhere to offload.What was your favourite TV program as a child?I used to love watching Mary, Mungo and Midge but no one else seems to remember it!

Something interesting you might not know about me is . . .I'm a twin. My brother is about a foot taller than me and dark haired!

What is the weirdest food you have ever eaten?I really can't think of any weird foods I've eaten...sorry!What was your biggest fashion faux pas?Ha ha, there have probably been loads! Platform shoes and pink bomber jackets come to mind.What are you pet peeves?How long have you got? There are many but one has to be people parking on the curb. So irritating when you have to take a small child on the road to get past a parked car.Who would be your 3 perfect dinner party guests (dead or alive) and why?It would have to be the lads from Take That! I'm not ashamed to say I love them all and have been a huge fan of Take That since the first time around. My favourite used to be Mark but Gary takes the lead now! I'm not sure I could even eat with them, I'd be a quivering giggly mess.If they made a movie of your life, what would it be about and which actor would play the part of you?It would definitely involve lots of shopping and loads of money! I'd be shopping till I dropped just like Julie Roberts in Pretty Woman! My part would be played by Pink.If you could live in any sitcom, which one would it be?It would have to be My Family. Mad, bickering and bitchy but there for one and other! Name a famous person you have metI once met Todd Carty and swooned over James Nesbitt who was in the same bar as me! I'd never of had the guts to go up to him and say hello.Which social media platform best describes your personality and why?It would have to be Facebook....I'm always on it! No idea how it best describes my personality but it makes me happy sharing with friends I've made through social media and keeping in touch with old ones! What picture do you have on lock screen on your phone / computer?This gorgeous photo of the monkeys on holiday last year is on our laptop.

How many pairs of shoes do you own?I have no idea but lots! Maybe 50 pairs. I love them. Pre children I had many pairs, then wore just 3 or 4 different pairs until last year when I lost lots of weight and found the old me! I'm shoe obsessed. I want lots more!What period of time from the past would you most like to have lived?Downton Abbey time during the 1st world war. I can see myself dressing as a lady and being 'looked' after with my own maid and staff! If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?Good question! I've always wanted to go to the Maldives. My kind of place....warm, calm and happy. Maybe one day! What is your guilty pleasure?Afternoon tea with girl friends. I'm a bit obsessed with tea and cake. Hence the increased visits to the gym!What is your favourite tipple?I'm partial to a Rosé spritzer made with lemonade, not soda water.If you had a magic lamp and a Genie, what would be your three wishesI would live in a bigger house with a huge garden with my family. I'd bring my Nan and Grandad back so they could meet their Great Grandsons and would have enough money to help the family, take the monkeys on a holiday of a life time and generally not have to worry!

20/04/2016

The monkeys love Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles so when I was asked if they (little monkey) would like to review the new Ravensburger TMNT 4 In a Box Puzzle of course I said yes please! As you can see the four puzzles come with different sized pieces. There's a 12 piece one, a 16 piece one, 20 piece and 24 piece.

This Half Shell Heroes Puzzle is suitable for children aged 3+ but little monkey (who is 5) found the 24 piece one difficult. His brother did that one for him. He did manage the 12 and 16 piece ones and had help from Daddy and big monkey with the 20 piece one. Quite a team effort!

Each jigsaw features a different Ninja Turtle with their names on too! Good for me as I'm not sure which is which! Of course the monkeys know.The puzzles are nice and brightly coloured and are mounted on the Ravensburger quality board.

The monkeys certainly enjoyed playing with their new puzzle and I think even Daddy did too!

18/04/2016

I do love to view the photo's we take but generally they are on the laptop nowadays. This is fine but it's nice to display momentos of photo's we take. This is where Cheerz come in. They bring your photo's to life. Offering Boxes, Prints, Albums, Magnets, Frames and Gift Cards I was recently asked if I would like to review something of my choice from the range.

Having looked at the website I decided on the Big Square (frame) and the Big Fat Box. Ordering was very easy. Just upload the photo's you wish to turn into your chosen product, edit, add colours and text where necassary, preview and pay!

The Big Square is £40 and comes with the frame included. You can choose to have just 4 photo's, nine like we have or sixteen. We opted for the 9 as we felt 4 wasn't enough and sixteen made the photo's too small. On arrival our Big Sqaure was really well packaged and came ready to hang. I'm really pleased with the finished result. The quality is fab. I think we made a great selection when choosing this and uploading the photo's to include. The Big Square meaures 40x40cms and comes with plexiglass. Made and shipped in France they are delivered with tracked mail so you can see where your order is. Delivery for this item is £5.00.

The Big Fat Box holds 75 prints for £25. It takes upto 200 for an addition cost per print. Delivery is £4.00. We uploaded 75 prints and are delighted with them. All except one are exceptional. On glossy paper and presented in the beauiful cube box. The one print that isn't great is purely down to us making the wrong choice! Nothing to do with the prinitng etc.

Prints can be ordered in vintage or sqaure. When choosing vintage you can add text and colour. After discussion we decided to go with sqaure! The sqaure cut prints are 4x4 and vintage cut are 3x4. Once again delivered from France.

Both products arrived within the time frame given and shipped the following morning after ordering. I'm really impressed with both and intend to keep these for us but would also highly recommend using Cheerz for gifts too.

There's even a Cheerz App, available on App Store and Google Play. Just like the website but smaller where you can design and order on the move.

GIVEAWAY

The lovely people at Cheerz have kindly offered one of you the chance to win a Big Fat Box (worth £29 including delivery). For your chance to win just complete the rafflecopter form below by the closing date (Midnight May 1st 2016).T&C'S apply. Open to UK residents only. Good Luck!

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Welcome!

Hello. Welcome to my Parenting & Lifestyle blog. Mum to these two monkeys (8 and 6), they keep me on my toes! Blogging about family life, fun days out, keeping fit, my love of shoes, food, clothes and much more!